Italian-style chipper in Cork?

RINO87 wrote: »

For a long time I had assumed C.F. Lennoxes was the same as the dodgy, crap, frozen chip Lennoxes that are on McCurtain St. and Ballincollig.

I've brought this up before and I can't get to the bottom of it.

I've had chips from Lennox's, McCurtain Street maybe 4 times over the last 4 or 5 years and every time they were fresh cut, "proper" chips. Each time I commented on how good the chips were - cooked properly - not the flaccid, pale chips that so many Irish chippers dish out. Really good quality. I know the difference between fresh cut and frozen chips.

What I can't understand is why more than one poster here has mentioned the crap, frozen chips from Lennox's McCurtain Street.

Do they change their chips regularly and I've always been lucky and been there when they have fresh cut chips?? Not very likely.

To be honest, the only explanation I can come up with is a xenophobic/racist bias because the operators appear to be from the Middle East.

I'd love for someone who has never been there before and who knows about food to go there, order chips and report back.

the beer revolu wrote: »

I've brought this up before and I can't get to the bottom of it.

I've had chips from Lennox's, McCurtain Street maybe 4 times over the last 4 or 5 years and every time they were fresh cut, "proper" chips. Each time I commented on how good the chips were - cooked properly - not the flaccid, pale chips that so many Irish chippers dish out. Really good quality. I know the difference between fresh cut and frozen chips.

What I can't understand is why more than one poster here has mentioned the crap, frozen chips from Lennox's McCurtain Street.

Do they change their chips regularly and I've always been lucky and been there when they have fresh cut chips?? Not very likely.

To be honest, the only explanation I can come up with is a xenophobic/racist bias because the operators appear to be from the Middle East.

I'd love for someone who has never been there before and who knows about food to go there, order chips and report back.

I've had chips there just the once. They were crap. Really disappointing especially with the name over the door which suggested a higher quality of chip than most places.

It wasn't Xenophobia - I don't have a thing that only Cork people can cook chips (the Russian ladies in Denny's do a decent chip) - it was just poor quality.

RINO87 wrote: »

I really don't know what to say to this... what nonsense. Fair enough we can disagree about trivial items such as chips, but to say there's a racial bias to liking one chipper over another? Really?!

For what its worth I have not had chips from McCurtain st in over two years after being burned twice - both times with friends who were down in cork visiting and still slag me over it - We had a Supermacs knock off back home, and they compare it to that. Perhaps they have improved.

But people aren't just expressing an opinion on whether or not they like the chips. More than one person (not just on this thread) claimed that they serve frozen chips, while, in my experience, this just isn't true.
I'm trying to figure out why.
There is an obvious bias against this chipper.
I'm simply looking at reasons why this might be.

PreCocious wrote: »

They weren't lovely fat chips that we'd traditionally call "chipper chips". They were like what are often called frozen chips - the style they serve in Chinese takeaways or that we'd cook at home before McCains came along (a long time ago). Plus they didn't offer salt 'n' vinegar.

I must have been in a different chipper - every time.
I guess we aren't going to get to the bottom of this here.
It is rather interesting, to say the least.
I'm glad that there's at least one other poster here who doesn't think I'm making this up.

RINO87 wrote: »

You're hardly mixing up Lennox's and the Fish Wife on McCurtain St?

That would explain it alright but it's not the case.
First time I went, there was a big queue in FW so I thought I'd chance Lennox's and was pleasantly surprised.

DuffleBag wrote: »

https://lovin.ie/amp/news/feature/this-is-where-to-get-the-best-bag-of-chips-in-every-county-in-ireland

Cork – Sorrento
Midleton Street, Cobh
AHHH, you thought we were going to say Lennox's, didn't you?
People appeal for Sorrento's number so frequently in Facebook groups that they screenshotted one comment and put it on the side of their delivery van.
Gas.
And their chips are gorge.

Well they ain't wrong anyway, lovely spot

Esho wrote: »

That is great!
Thanks folks!

I'll check them out, starting with one of them tonight. Nothing like a good bag of chips and a few frosty ones on a Friday evening

Its true - the Italians who originally ran the chippers in Dublin all came from the same village outside of Rome.
They charter a plane to fly back every Christmas - an Italian pal got a lift on it one year!

Is KCs worth the queue do you reckon?

KCs? FFS average to below average,,had Dino's last week Ballincollig,yum,,,,,Chi'sh n find Crosshaven a major disappointment, won't be back and used sing their praises, fish supper was awful , batter beyond crispy, chips hard / tasteless and cold, won't be back

sporina wrote: »

speaking of chip shops, my bro had fish and chips from the fish wife on grand parade the other day and he found the batter v v odd... v think and not at all good.. he later learnt that the people running it only took it over a short while ago.. guess that explains the poor quality fish..

The Fish Wife closed on GP at the start of lockdown. Has opened as a new place called Seasalt, have to try but instagram pictures look tasty, thought they would

the beer revolu wrote: »

Again I ask the question.
What differentiates an Italian Irish chipper from an Irish Irish chipper? I have never appreciated any difference other than the origin of the operators.

Lard/dripping/oil? Nope there is no pattern here.

What do people think the difference is?

I'm not sure to be honest. I think the difference is certain food items that you get in "Italian style" you don't in traditional chippers. I had food out of two places in Kildare years ago and they both did these manky saveloy yokes. Its like a hotdog sausage. Never seen it in any regular chipper in Cork. Also both places did "Italian style" icecream if I recall.

Don't the Italian chippers often do pizzas as well?

the beer revolu wrote: »

I've brought this up before and I can't get to the bottom of it.

I've had chips from Lennox's, McCurtain Street maybe 4 times over the last 4 or 5 years and every time they were fresh cut, "proper" chips. Each time I commented on how good the chips were - cooked properly - not the flaccid, pale chips that so many Irish chippers dish out. Really good quality. I know the difference between fresh cut and frozen chips.

What I can't understand is why more than one poster here has mentioned the crap, frozen chips from Lennox's McCurtain Street.

Do they change their chips regularly and I've always been lucky and been there when they have fresh cut chips?? Not very likely.

To be honest, the only explanation I can come up with is a xenophobic/racist bias because the operators appear to be from the Middle East.

I'd love for someone who has never been there before and who knows about food to go there, order chips and report back.

Genuinely, among the worst chips I have ever had, and I went there twice!

This is really interesting though, I wanna solve this mystery

corks finest wrote: »

KCs? FFS average to below average,,had Dino's last week Ballincollig,yum,,,,,Chi'sh n find Crosshaven a major disappointment, won't be back and used sing their praises, fish supper was awful , batter beyond crispy, chips hard / tasteless and cold, won't be back

All the talk about chips gave me a hankering for them so we went out to Crosshaven this evening. Had a walk around and then fish and chips from Chish n Fips.

The chips were really good, fresh, hot and tasty. Had fish goujons which were really just smaller pieces of fillet (yay) rather than glorified fish fingers. They too were very good. Lovely crisp thin batter made them not greasy. Place was doing a roaring trade.

Munstersrebel wrote: »

Chips meh. What I miss is a proper frituur if one (re) opened and ye food conservatives 'd try you would realise how silly yer chips are... Twice fried golden crispy fries... Topped with stoofvlees sauce (beef stew) ooih sooooooo goood

I love Belgian and Dutch chips.
They cut them a bit thinner and the second frying seems to be hotter than is typical here.
They certainly can do chips there, although I don't get the fascination with the array of multicoloured, mayonnaise based sauces that they seem to love with them.

It's funny, Italians with probably the best food in the world, emigrate to UK and Irl to open junk food outlets.

Usir wrote: »

Beef dripping?? thats a new one for me, never heard of it. What is it?

Delicious

the beer revolu wrote: »

It's just rendered beef fat.
It's what all chippers would have used at one time.

And lots of mums in the chip pan

So which Lennox is the best? Jackie or CF?

zilog_jones wrote: »

Has anyone confirmed that any of the chippers in Cork actually use beef (or other animal) dripping for frying? Or is it just speculation? It makes an unhealthy dish even less healthy, and with vegetarian/vegan considerations these days I imagine less would be inclined to use it for cooking vegetables.

I'm not sure it's the magic ingredient that some claim it to be...

I saw someone earlier claim the Golden Fry have it inside, but I've only ever seen bags of spuds and boxes of some sort of cooking oil there.

They're closed now, but Looney's in Blackpool definitely used beef dripping. I saw the boxes, clearly marked behind the counter. I even had a chat with the owner about it - he told me that they used to render their own but didn't really have the facilities to do it efficiently.

Sorrento in Cobh is savage. I got the porchetta in a pitta with chips there before, really good.

Jackie Lennoxes was always beef dripping when lads i knew worked there pre 2010 . I dont know anyone working there now but i doubt they have changed, beef dripping gives good flavour and has a very high smoke point.

roundymac wrote: »

Jackies of course.

Hit and mostly miss